Comcast Launches Xfinity Mobile Wireless With $65 Unlimited Plans (Sorta)

"America's Most Hated Company" may have just given customers another reason to hate it by launching of Xfinity Mobile, the company's first attempt at breaking in to the wireless market. With the new service Comcast will offer its customers TV, home internet, home phone and wireless service under one umbrella. Yes that means you will likely get more calls and marketing pushing an upgrade to the bundled. the service.

The service will be back-boned by a combination of Comcast Xfinity Wi-Fi hotspots and Verizon's existing  network.Giving customers cellular coverage through Verizon at times when they can not connect to one of Comcast’s millions of Wi-Fi hotspots. The phones will automatically connect to those locations, similar to how Google’s Project Fi works.

Comcast is promising no line access fees, with unlimited talk and text on up to five lines. All you will pay for is data usage. Combined with its internet service, it will have "unlimited" mobile data access available for $65 per month, per line, while its "best" bundle package brings the price for unlimited access down to $45 per month. As with most of these "unlimited" plans, unlimited truly doesn't mean unlimited. Customers using more than 20GB a month will end up being throttled, severely in this case based on what Ars Technica is reporting.

If you'd prefer to pay only for the data you use,  Xfinity Mobile will offer a $12 per GB plan, which customers can switch to and away from within the app, even in the middle of a month. Families can mix-and-match on an account so that each person can choose the way to pay for data that makes sense for them.  This means that at any time users find that they’ve used more data on a “By the
Gig” option one month, they can switch to “Unlimited” for that month, then switch back the next month with no penalties. Additionally with Xfinity Mobile, Comcast is offering 24/7 customer support via text message and a dedicated Xfinity Mobile call center support team. Hope it is better than their existing service!

As far as devices are concerned the company has already confirmed Xfinity Mobile will sell the the iPhone SE, iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus for the service. They aren't being as transparent about what Android-based products will be offered, but it confirmed that it will “feature the best devices from Samsung and LG”. Hopefully, that means customers can get the Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus and the LG G6 via Xfinity Mobile.

For more details on the new service checkout the full Comcast announcement and Xfinity Mobile fact sheet or the Xfinity Mobile corporate websitee where you can also pre-register for more information.

Your New Samsung Galaxy Note 7 Has Been Recalled What You Need to Know! [Update]

[Update: If you own A Samsung Galaxy Note 7 stop using it immediately!! Samsung, with cooperation from US Consumer Product Safety Commission is issuing a full and total recall of over one million Galaxy Note7 devices. ]

Yes you've heard that correctly, Samsung is recalling every Samsung Galaxy Note 7 that the company has shipped worldwide do to an issue with faulty batteries and charging that has resulted in at least 35 incidents of batteries exploding.

The problem is estimated to affect one device in every 42,000 units. Samsung says it shipped around 2.5 million Galaxy Note 7 units so far, so if the estimate is correct, only a few dozen phones sold worldwide are at risk. So the risk is actually pretty minimal, but it is always best to err on the side of caution. 

At this time Samsung has officially halted all sales and shipments of the Galaxy Note 7 and the phones have been recalled worldwide. Samsung is working on preparing replacement units for the affected devices as well as working with each carrier on how to handle the recall and replacement process, which as of now will take about two weeks, according to the company.

Full Samsung statement:

Samsung is committed to producing the highest quality products and we take every incident report from our valued customers very seriously. In response to recently reported cases of the new Galaxy Note7, we conducted a thorough investigation and found a battery cell issue.

To date (as of September 1) there have been 35 cases that have been reported globally and we are currently conducting a thorough inspection with our suppliers to identify possible affected batteries in the market. However, because our customers’ safety is an absolute priority at Samsung, we have stopped sales of the Galaxy Note7.

For customers who already have Galaxy Note7 devices, we will voluntarily replace their current device with a new one over the coming weeks.

We acknowledge the inconvenience this may cause in the market but this is to ensure that Samsung continues to deliver the highest quality products to our customers. We are working closely with our partners to ensure the replacement experience is as convenient and efficient as possible.

 At this time if you want to keep and use your Galaxy Note 7 you should be fine. However, you may want to use a few of these common sense precautions in order to keep safe, which really are valid for any electronic device.

• Stop charging your phone it if becomes too hot.
• Stick to official Samsung chargers.
• Don’t charge your phone in bed or anywhere it might not dissipate heat.
• Be mindful of where you charge your phone, don't leave it in a hot car window, hot area ect.

How will the recall process work?

At this time we have no specifics on the exact details of the recall, and each carrier seems to be handling things a little different. So here is what we have gathered so far (we'll update as we get more info).

• Sprint has said it will offer customers loaner devices, while Verizon is waiving its restocking fee for customers who want to return the Note 7 and get another phone altogether.
•  AT&T has reportedly stated that they are in the process of determining the exchange process for their customers and how they can replace their current Note 7 as quickly as possible. The company promised more information later on today.
• T-Mobile is offering customers full refunds to use toward another device or a replacement Note 7, which it said it expected to have available within two weeks. Plus, it said, customers can keep the free Netflix subscription it had been bundling with Note 7 purchases.

[Update from Samsung]
The US Product Exchange Program will offer consumers the following choices:

1. Exchange current Galaxy Note7 device with a new Galaxy Note7 (as early as next week)
2. Exchange current Galaxy Note7 for a Galaxy S7 or Galaxy S7 edge and replacement of any Note7 specific accessories with a refund of the price difference between devices

As a gesture of appreciation, consumers will receive a $25 gift card or bill credit from select carrier retail outlets when choosing a Galaxy S7 family device or the Galaxy Note7 within the exchange program.

Galaxy Note7 owners can contact or visit the retail outlet where they purchased their device or call 1-800-SAMSUNG to initiate a product exchange and to resolve any other questions or concerns.

Sprint and Verizon Must Pay $158 Million In Fines You May Be Due A Refund

The Federal Communications Commission has fined Verizon $90 million and Sprint $68 million for what is know as cramming, or the charging of unauthorized third-party charges to their customer's bills. The good news, according to the FCC statement the majority of the fines will be going to customers as a refund meaning you may be owned a portion of the settlement.

The State Attorneys General and federal regulators allege that cramming occurred when Sprint and Verizon placed charges from third parties on consumers’ mobile telephone bills without the consumers’ knowledge or consent.

The monthly charge for these third-party premium text messaging services ranged from $0.99 to $14.00, but typically were $9.99 per month. Verizon retained 30 percent or more of each third-party charge that it billed, while Sprint received approximately 35 percent of collected revenues for each of its third-party charges.

Numerous consumers have complained to the FCC, other government agencies, and the carriers that they never requested or authorized the third-party services for which they were charged. Customers who called to complain were often denied refunds, and yet, when the FCC requested proof that customers had authorized charges, the carriers were unable to prove that these services were ever requested."

Consumers the believe they are owed refunds can submit claims under the redress programs by visiting www.SprintRefundPSMS.com and/or www.CFPBSettlementVerizon.com. On those websites, consumers can submit claims, find information about refund eligibility and how to obtain a refund, and request a free account summary that details PSMS purchases on their accounts. Consumers who have questions about the redress programs can visit the program websites or call the settlement administrators at (877) 389-8787 (Sprint) and/or (888) 726-7063 (Verizon).

Verizon Now Owns Some of Your Favorite Geek Sites Thanks to $4.4 bn AOL Buyout

Verizon made some major headlines today when it announced that it will buy AOL for $4.4 billion, acquiring not just AOL.com but also AOL's "premium portfolio of global content brands, including The Huffington Post, TechCrunch, and Engadget.

Lowell McAdam, Verizon chairman and CEO, said: “Verizon’s vision is to provide customers with a premium digital experience based on a global multiscreen network platform. This acquisition supports our strategy to provide a cross-screen connection for consumers, creators and advertisers to deliver that premium customer experience.”

The new acquisition may be a major concern to us geeks out there that frequent sites like Engadget as Verizon may want to change some of their formatting or even restrict/limit topics or content. However, in a tweet this morning Engadget editor Terrence O'Brien said nothing will change, with Senior Editor Chris Velazco going one step further tweeting, "if anything, I'm looking forward to scrutinizing Verizon EVEN MORE!"

Update: Engadget has posted this response to questions about the team's ability to maintain editorial integrity in the face of the buyout stating, "It doesn't matter who pays our salaries; we're not in the business of censorship. Engadget's editorial isn't for sale. It never has been, and it never will be. Not as long as I [Michael Gorman] and Executive Editor Christopher Trout are running things."

Buyouts of this nature often leave us sitting in murky waters, not knowing exactly what so expect from the new parent company. In this case however it would seem as though Verizon's best bet would be to leave their new properties to their own devices. All three are major players in the online world and have very strong followings in the tech sector. Unfortunately, we have seen in the past that parent companies do not see things the same way and changes are all to often made.

If the deal is approved by regulatory bodies, AOL will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Verizon, which means Verizon will not only get their content platforms, but also AOL's original video content and advertising platform alongside AOL's lingering dial-up business which still services 2.1 million people. AOL Chairman and CEO Tim Armstrong will continue to lead the subsidiary. If all goes well Verizon expects the deal to close late this summer.

Verizon And AT&T Launch Targeted Ad Services

Wireless providers AT&T and Verizon have announced the launch of two similar services offering customers a free opt-in, location-based text messaging alerting service which target customers with various services, coupons and promotions through online or mobile advertisements. Known as Verizon Selects and AT&T Alerts the two programs will use geo-location technology and consumer preferences to deliver offers, rewards, and coupons without the need of download an application.

AT&T wireless customers can text “JOIN” to ATTAlerts (288253787) to opt-in to the service and begin receiving discounts, rewards and offers via text message when they are near participating retailers and brands such as Gap, Staples, Zales, Last Call by Neiman Marcus, Duracell, Motorola or Discover. Customers can customize offer preferences and settings to receive offers most relevant to them by visiting http://alerts.att.com/join. Text messages to and from AT&T Alerts are free. As an added bonus, customers who sign-up for AT&T Alerts will receive $5 off with a $10 minimum purchase at ATT.com

AT&T wireless customers can visit http://alerts.att.com/join to sign-up and learn more, or text “JOIN” to ATTAlerts (288253787) from their AT&T wireless phones.

Beginning this week select Verizon customers can expect to receive invites to the new Verizon Selects services which the company says customers can opt-in or or out of at any time. Additionally they change their choices at any time at the Verizon Selects site or opt into or out of several other Precision Market Insights solutions that provide customers with an opt-out choice.

“We are asking customers to opt-in to Verizon Selects because of the types of information being used and because the capabilities provided to third-party marketers gives them the ability to reach customers directly,” the company wrote on its website. “It’s important to remember that Verizon DOES NOT share information that identifies customers personally outside of Verizon.”

Source: Verizon | AT&T

Stolen Phone Database Now Live

Earlier this year the FCC alongside all of the major US cell phone providers brokered a deal to create a stolen phone database that would allow the tracking, and blocking of phones reported to have been stolen. The first of these services, managed by AT&T and T-Mobile has gone live today.

The stolen phone program works like this: A phone is reported stolen and the IMEI, a unique identification number in the cellphone, is entered into the database and then blocked. This ID number remains with the cellphone no matter what SIM card is used or what a user does to the phone. If the thief, or other unsuspecting user, tries to use that phone with their new SIM card or tries to get new service on that phone they won't be able to.

"The goal is to not only protect the consumer by cancelling the service, but by ultimately protecting the consumer by drying up the after market for stolen phones," said Chris Guttman-McCabe, vice president of regulatory affairs at CTIA, a wireless industry trade association that has coordinated efforts to introduce the database.

Verizon and Sprint are working to offer their own databases which will eventually be combined with the AT&T and T-Mobile databases so that the vast majority of U.S. cellphone users will be covered. Smaller carriers like Nex-Tech and Cellcom are also getting on board the database. There are also plans to link it with an international database maintained by the GSM Association to stop stolen phones being shipped overseas and used on foreign networks.

The goal behind the database is to hopefully prevent the theft of mobile phones by making it less attractive to criminals. The thought is that if its harder (or near impossible) to activate the phones then there will be less motivation to take them.

While the phone database may eventually be a great deterrent to stop thieves it isn't a stop all. CTIA president and CEO Steve Largent pointed out that most users now store a large amount of personal data on their smartphones - from photos and videos to banking information and emails.   

"While the GSM and CDMA databases are important, consumers also play a key role in protecting their information and preventing smartphone theft," Largent continued. "By using passwords or PINs, as well as remote wiping capabilities, consumers can help to dry up the aftermarket for stolen devices. It's important consumers know that by taking simple precautions, such as downloading a few apps, they can protect their information from unauthorized users," he said.



AT&T customers may report a stolen phone and suspend their service online at www.att.com/stolenphone, at an AT&T store, or by contacting AT&T Customer Care at 1-800-331-0500. Within 24 hours, AT&T will block the use of a device reported as stolen.

Smartphone Buying Basics

The smartphone community has a lot to be abuzz about these days. Samsung has just released one of the hottest phones on the market with the Galaxy S3, HTC has the new HTC One X and Motorola the DROID RAZR MAXX. Rumors are abound about the new iPhone 5 and of course there are the new Windows Phones like the Nokia Lumia 900. It is truly a great time to be a smartphone fan.

With all these great choices how exactly do you decide? To be honest it's a tough decision. Every one of the newer phones on the market right now has its own strong points and each has its flaws. Selecting your phone might seem like a tough decision but here are a few ideas for getting the best phone and the best mobile phone deals. When it all comes down to it though it depends on a few key factors.

Your Carrier:
This is obviously by far the biggest factor, as not all carriers carry the same phones and not all carriers are created equal. Now you might think an iPhone is an iPhone is an iPhone, but that just isn't true. Network speeds, coverages, costs, services ect are all different for every carrier.

When deciding on which carrier to get there are a few things to take into consideration. Your local coverage and extended coverage, network speeds, reliability and costs. Local coverage for the big three might be decent, however if you travel a lot you'll need to check to make sure the areas you frequent have just as good of coverage. This too factors into network speeds. Take the area I live in, Sacramento, throughout the heart of town we have 4G coverage for the most part. When I go a few miles out of town though I don't get as good of coverage. If I lived in an area with poor 4G coverage and I paid a premium for a 4G phone that would be a bit if a waste.

The phones your carrier are going to offer are also going to be a factor. Sprint, Verizon and AT&T may eventually carry the new iPhone 5, unfortunately right now we just don't know. If you want one of the latest Windows phones right now Verizon with the HTC Trophy or AT&T with either the Nokia Nokia Lumia 900, Samsung Focus S or HTC Titan II are probably going to be the best bets. I don't really suggest going with one carrier over the other just based on phone offerings but it might be a consideration you'll want to take into account.

If you are looking for an Android phone, then you are going to have your work cut out for you. All three of the big three offer great choices and almost all of the minor carriers now carry decent Android phones. To get the latest greatest though, you are likely going to need to decide between the big three.

Upfront Cost and Monthly Fees:
These are two factors plenty of people often overlook. Often time we want to get the latest greats phones out there and forget that those phones come with a pretty hefty premium. I might want that iPhone 5 when it comes out, but when it does I can likely get the iPhone 4S at a pretty sweet savings.

You also need to keep in mind the more feature packed a phone is the more data it uses and likely the more your monthly costs are going to be. Verizon and AT&T plans tend to cost the most, but those two carriers have the best voice and data coverage in the nation. Sprint and T-Mobile offer considerable savings, especially on unlimited voice, data, and texting plans, but don't have quite the same level of network coverage.

Now days you can even skip out on the contract game all together. Smaller carriers are starting to offer more and more smartphones options for prepaid phones. We're beginning to see prepaid smartphones appear everywhere, especially on smaller regional carriers like MetroPCS, U.S. Cellular, and Cricket Wireless. If you live in an appropriate coverage area and don't need a cutting edge device, the potential savings can be huge.

Your Needs:
You have to ask yourself what are your needs really going to be. When I got my first smartphone I thought I'd use almost every feature out there. But now I rarely use most of them. For instance I'm not a big picture taker, so I don't need a phone with a top rated camera. I don't watch a lot of videos, so having a high resolution larger screen isn't a must for me. So when you browse mobile phone deals look at your options take in to consideration exactly what you think you'll be using your phone for and buy one that best fits with those needs.

Compatibility and Use:
When selecting my phones I ask myself what apps, what compatibility ect am I going to need. The iPhone has by far the most apps out there with the Apple App Store, Android is a close second and Windows is still a work in progress but has tons of apps and features that make it useful.

I use my phone for work and it needs to be able to sync seamlessly with Google and Google apps, but if I was an Apple user I'd likely want an iPhone so syncing across my devices would be easier. If I was a heavy Microsoft user and used Windows Live a lot then the syncing features of a Windows phone might be best for me.

Size and Features:
There has been a movement of late to make phones, specifically screen sizes, larger. It has even been rumored that the new iPhone 5 will come with a larger 4.3" screen. Personally I don't care for a larger screen. I like a smaller phone that is more portable and bit a easier to carry around.

For me some of the features are a bit more important. I've been shopping around for some of the new waterproof phones and the more rugged models. I'm the outdoors type so having a phone that is a bit tougher is a more important feature to me than having one with a larger screen that might be easily broken.

So Which Smartphone Should I Get:
Well, that depends on the factors discussed above, and a lot of personal preference. Personally I really like the user interface that HTC has for their Android phones but some people don’t. Some people are going to be hard core Apple fans and are going to say go Apple.

No matter which phone you go with keep in mind that most carriers allow you up to 30 days to return it. So if you buy something you aren't happy with don't be afraid to return it and try something new.

iPhone Users May Have To Pay Extra For FaceTime Calls

According to reports by MacRumors, a new error message in the latest beta release of iOS 6 could confirm that AT&T among others might start charging iPhone users for FaceTime phone calls. The message, which generally only pops-up when users have to pay for extra features on AT&T leads developers to believe that the service provide is working on a new pay-per use service charge associated with the new calling feature.

When users try using the new FaceTime calling app a pop-up message appears telling iPhone users on AT&T that they must first contact the wireless provider before they can use the feature. This type of message only shows up when you have to pay for something.

FaceTime video calling itself isn't a new feature. However with the release of iOS 6 a new FaceTime-over-cellular feature arrives. This allows you to make the same FaceTime video calls you do now via Wi-Fi over your cellular providers standard network. However the service is said to be a bit of a bandwidth hog and we know anything that uses more data is a chance for cell companies to squeeze a few more dollars out of their customers.

AT&T has not confirmed that it will charge for FaceTime calls on its network. In a statement released to the press, AT&T said: “We’re working closely with Apple on the new developer build of iOS 6 and we’ll share more information with our customers as it becomes available.” Interpret that as you will.

At this time developers have noted that neither Verizon nor Sprint, the other two wireless carriers that offer the iPhone, have yet instituted the same message into iOS 6. That’s not to say that they won’t, just that it isn't there as of now.

AT&T Launching Stolen Phone Service

Starting next week AT& will finally launch the company's stolen phone database. A new service that will let customers whose phones and tablets are stolen have their devices blocked from use on the AT&T network by the thieves.

Under pressure by the Federal Communications Commission and police departments around the country, AT&T and all three of the other three major U.S. carriers, Verizon Wireless, Sprint and T-Mobile, agreed to create a national database of stolen cellphones and tablets. The database is intended to allow customers to report their device as stolen, to one company and allow blocking of those devices on any of the other networks. Verizon and Sprint already offer a blocking service, but GSM-based carriers whose phones use SIM card slots do not. The FCC wants its database to work across all LTE smartphones on all carriers no later than Nov. 30, 2013.

When a customer reports a stolen or lost cellphone, they can list their phone in the corresponding database. That information will (or should be) shared with the other major carriers preventing anyone presenting the phone for activation from putting service on the phone.

How this is going to work in relation to SIM carded phones is as of yet unclear. We are assuming they are going to setup a program to block the cell phone's IMEI (International Mobile Equipment) or ESN (Electronic Serial Number) from being accepted.

This new will let customers keep their accounts active instead of canceling them and having to shutdown their accounts for a brief period. If customers get their phones back, they'll be able to call AT&T again to reactivate service.

Verizon To Kill Unlimited Data, Will Honor Grandfathered Plans

Verizon customers were hit with some bad news and false reports on Wednesday when the company outlined its goals to kill off unlimited data plans and instead move customers to shared data plans. Unfortunately many people, myself included, incorrectly read the report and believed that meant that Verizon would no longer honor grandfathered plans and would ultimately kill unlimited data plans the instant that shared data plans were introduced.

Looking to clarify its position Verizon has released a statement as to what will actually happen.

Customers with unlimited plans will get to keep their unlimited plans. But when shared data plans become available, the unlimited option will no longer be available to customers when they buy a new device at a subsidized price, usually with a two-year service contract. In other words, customers that are now on grandfathered plans will keep their unlimited plans so long as they don't want to upgrade their phone as a discounted price. If they need a new phone they will either have to pay full price or loose their old plan and be ported over to the new shared plans.

Verizon’s e-mailed statement, in full:

– Customers will not be automatically moved to new shared data plans. If a 3G or 4G smartphone customer is on an unlimited plan now and they do not want to change their plan, they will not have to do so.
– When we introduce our new shared data plans, Unlimited Data will no longer be available to customers when purchasing handsets at discounted pricing.
– Customers who purchase phones at full retail price and are on an unlimited smartphone data plan will be able to keep that plan.
– The same pricing and policies will be applied to all 3G and 4GLTE smartphones.

In short, Verizon is hoping the death of grandfathered unlimited data plans will come by way of attrition. They hope when all the people with unlimited data plans want new devices they will give up their old plans for a cheaper price on a new phone.

Source: NY Times

AT&T and Verizon May Soon Offer Family Data Plans

Speaking at this year's CTIA Wireless trade show executives from AT&T have expressed company plans to offer a shared family data plan.

"The company has a firm hold on what type of plan it will offer and intends to offer one soon," said Ralph de la Vega, CEO of AT&T's mobile business. de la Vega says the company is working out the details of such plans stating “we’ll introduce them when we can.” But as of yet the company has no firm launch date.

AT&T is not alone in the venture to offer family a bit more bang for their data buck. Verizon is reportedly also planning to join the fray. Speaking at a at a Deutsche Bank conference earlier this year Verizon Chief Financial Officer Fran Shammo said the carrier will launch a family data plan by midyear (PDF).

Both companies are likely looking at family data plans as a way to boost sales of devices specifically non-traditional cellular devices like connected tablets. A shared data plan will allow consumers to share data by multiple devices which could help the average family save tons on their current plans. Most plans we see now are set on a per device basis and cost upwards of $30/mo. Adding in a lower cost alternative could help push sales of more phones but also add in a plethora of other devices.

Verizon's concept of a shared plan extends a bit further into the future well beyond phones, tablets and even laptops.

"Let's just take a household," Shammo said. "So you have a family; they have tablets; they have notebooks; they have their smartphones. Then you have to start thinking about then you have a washer and dryer, you have a refrigerator, and people are going to want to start to communicate with all of those devices. So when you think about connecting the devices to the network, it's more than just a smartphone and a tablet."

Certainly AT&T is also looking at the new plans to work in conjunction with their newly announced home automation project, AT&T Digital Life. I could definitely see them working on cellular enabled Appliance power controls, digital cameras and alarm systems.

Source: CNet News - AT&T Mobility CEO: Family data plan coming soon
Verizon to offer shared family data plan by midyear

Verizon Adding $2 Convenience Fee For One Time Online Payments

Update: Shortly after we posted this and the news hit the internet Verizon posted the following press release, announcing that customer feedback had led to a change in plans.

“At Verizon, we take great care to listen to our customers. Based on their input, we believe the best path forward is to encourage customers to take advantage of the best and most efficient options, eliminating the need to institute the fee at this time,” said Dan Mead, president and chief executive officer of Verizon Wireless in a statement.

In an age when convenience is key and online payments dominate Verizon has decided to cash in and add an extra $2 per month fee to users who pay their monthly bills online or by telephone. The fee is applicable to any users opting to make a single one time payment via the company's website or when talking with a Verizon rep, but will be waived if a customer enrolls in automatic bill pay or uses an electronic check.

Image courtesy Droid Life

The reports come via Droid Life and have not been confirmed via Verizon or any other sources at this time.

According to the report Verizon is claiming that the new "convenience fee" covers its ability to "continue to support these bill payment options". Off course they are the ones that are pushing these options because they said it was more costly to continue to provide regular mailed payments or payments through reps. So which is it Verizon, is it now more costly for you guys to process electronic payments than it is to process the old fashioned handwritten paper checks or to staff stores with more personnel to handle payments?

Hopefully Verizon changes its mind before the change goes into effect, purportedly on January 15th.

Hot Deal: Verizon HTC Thunderbolt 4G $129 With New Contract

Amazon Wireless has an extremely hot deal going on this weekend. They are offering the HTC ThunderBolt 4G Android Phone (Verizon Wireless) for $129 with a new two year contract (Existing Verizon Wireless Customers also get a discounted price of $175). This is $120 off the current selling price of the phone making this a pretty sweet deal!

For those that haven't seen the reviews or heard the specs on the HTC THunderbolt here ya go.

• 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon MSM8655, Qualcomm MDM9600
• Android 2.2 + HTC Sense 2.0 (sources say they are upgrading to Android 2.3 and HTC Sense 3.0 this summer)
• 4.3” WVGA TFT capacitive touch screen
• 8MP with autofocus, LED Flash (2x LED), 1.3MP front facing camera
• 8GB emmc + 768 RAM Memory card, preinstalled 32 GB microSD™
• WLAN: 802.11 b/g/n
• Bluetooth 2.1 with EDR (3.0 when available)
• GPS/AGPS
• Battery 1400 mAh (I highly recommend adding an extended life battery)
• Special features: Dual mics with noise cancellation, Surround sound, Compass sensor, G-Sensor, Proximity sensor, Light sensor, 3.5mm audio jack, MicroUSB, FM radio, LTE SIM slot , TI audio DSP

I've had my hands on this phone and its a sweet device. It offers true simultaneous data and voice on Verizon, something the iPhone 4 or any other device currently on Verizon doesn't. For users in areas that are covered by the 4G LTE network it has some incredible broadband type download speeds! The cameras are both pretty decent, I haven't seen images that were uploaded but they look good on the screen. HTC Sense is awesome and on of my favorite UIs out there.

AntennaGate All Over Again Verizon iPhone Suffers 'Death Grip'

The Verizon iPhone 4 may be a new incarnation of the old AT&T iPhone but it appears as though Apple didn't fix one of the phones old issues, the so called 'death grip' problem that led to AntennaGate.

According to Consumer Reports, lab tests have shown that the Verizon iPhone 4 suffers from a "death grip" problem similar to last summer's AT&T model. This resulted in the phone suffering the same issue of dropping calls, weak signals, the inability to place calls and an overall poor performance.

"The problem is similar to the one we confirmed in July with the AT&T version of Apple's newest smart phone. It can occur when you hold either version of the phone in a specific but quite natural way in which a gap in the phone's external casing is covered. The phone performs superbly in most other respects, and using the iPhone 4 with a case can alleviate the problem," said Paul Reynolds, the magazine's electronics editor, in a blog post.

The issue facing the new iPhone meant Consumer Reports again declined to put the device on its "recommended" list, even though the device is among its highest-rated smartphones.

Apple no longer offers a free case to buyers of the iPhone 4, as it did for a time limited time after the problem was first discovered on the AT&T version. However Consumer Reports says that a bumper for the Verizon version should alleviate the problems much like it did previously with the AT&T phones.

AT&T Fighting To Keep iPhone Users Offers 1,000 Free Rollover Minutes

According to 9to5Mac, AT&T is trying its best to keep iPhone users by offering the up more perks than ever. Some iPhone customers have confirmed they are receiving text messages which say users can get 1,000 bonus rollover minutes at no cost. You simply have to reply “YES” to the 11113020 number and you will receive a text that says your account has been credited!

Comment's over at 9to5Mac have confirmed this works for any iPhone customers even if they have not yet received the text. We are not sure if anyone else has tried it or not but it might be worth a shot.

Update: I just tried it from my regular AT&T cellphone and got the confirmation reply so we'll see if it works or not!

This is just one of the latest moves by AT&T stop the masses from fleeing over to Verizon or other networks.

Earlier this week the company announced the launch of a new plan that offers unlimited talk and text with any mobile number on any U.S. carrier regardless of your recipient's provider. Users simply need to activate their unlimited mobile-to-mobile promotion by visiting www.att.com/anymobile. The new promotion is available on $39.99 and higher Nation plans and $69.99 and higher FamilyTalk plans.

All this follows reports several weeks ago that AT&T was offering iPhone owners free microCells to boost in-door coverage using the consumer’s broadband connection. The 3G microcells($199.99) went on sale from AT&T last year and are mainly popular for those living in low coverage areas. The microcell works like a signal extender boosting your broadband connection by actually creating a new 3G signal using your broadband connection.

A few caveats to the deal are that in order to accept it you must sign on to an additional 12-month contract. If the customer decides to break or cancel the agreement before the 12-month contract ends, they will have to return the microcell to AT&T or pay the pro-rated cost for it. This agreement won’t have any effect on your handset contract end date or your ability to upgrade your phone.

All these promotions are great for consumers as it actually drives a little competition. So for now at least kuddos to AT&T for not just throwing in the towel.

Verizon iPhone 4 Some Questions Answered

So you've heard the great news that Verizon will finally be getting the iPhone but you aren't sure what that means. Well I've got a few answers to some of the common questions I've seen asked.

Q) I'm an existing Verizon customer can I upgrade?
A) You can check your eligibility on Verizon's Website here. If you've purchased a new Verizon handset recently you can return it within 30 days of purchase to take advantage of the iPhone 4 instead.

Q) Will my AT&T iPhone now work on Verizon?
A) No they are two entirely different networks. Verizon uses a CDMA based network whereas AT&T uses a GSM network this is the reason iPhones have never been able to be unlocked to work on Verizon. Your AT&T phone may still be unlocked to work with other GSM networks but you will need a new CDMA phone to work with Verizon.

Q) How much will the Verizon iPhone cost?
A) Verizon will offer two versions of the device: a 16-GB model for $200 and a 32-GB model for $300, both with a new two-year contract.

Q) How much will data and calling plans be?
A) At this time we don't know Verizon has yet to confirm anything. It's not clear if Verizon iPhone customers will see Verizon's standard smartphone data plans or if the carrier will tailor a plan specifically for the iPhone.

Q) Can I port my number from AT&T to Verizon?
A) If you are a current AT&T customer and you have fulfilled your contract then yes you can port your current number over. If however you are still under contract you will have to pay the AT&T  ETF's before they release your number. You are able to check your number's portability eligibility online, at any Verizon Wireless store, authorized agent location or by calling us at 1.800 2 JOIN IN.

Q) Are the AT&T iPhones different than the new Verizon iPhones?
A) The short answer is no not really. Because of the new CDMA-specific antenna there are a few minor changes to the outside of the phone that will require new cases and internally there are difference in the radio chipsets but internally not much has changed. Both phones will have the same features including FaceTime video calling, the high-resolution Retina display, a 5-megapixel camera, HD video recording, long battery life, and all the other great features of iPhone 4. There is one difference that is a big plus for the the Verizon iPhone. The new phone adds the hotspot feature which allows up to five Wi-Fi enabled device to be tethered to your iPhone. This feature costs extra on Verizon's Android smartphones. There is no mention if it will it cost extra for the iPhone 4, too?

Q) Which version of IOS does the Verizon iPhone run?
A) The Verizon iPhone's software is slightly more advanced than the current offering from AT&T it's running iOS 4.2.5, while the most current release for all other iPhones is iOS 4.2.1.

Q) Is Verizon the only one who can sell a CDMA iPhone?
A) No, Apple COO Tim Cook told reporters today that while Apple and Verizon have a "multiyear" contract, unlike the previous deal with AT&T it is not exclusive. That means other CDMA carriers like Sprint could potentially be next to sell the iPhone.

Hopefully this helps answer a few of the questions many of you have. There are several more questions and answers on the Verizon site which can be found via Verizon iPhone 4 FAQs.

Verizon iPhone Becomes A Reality

Verizon Wireless and Apple today announced that a new CDMA version of Apple's iPhone 4 will be available on the Verizon Wireless network beginning on Thursday, February 10. Qualified Verizon Wireless customers will be given the exclusive opportunity to pre-order the iPhone 4 online on February 3, ahead of general availability.

“We are pleased to introduce millions of wireless users to the industry leading iPhone 4 on the nation’s most reliable network,” said Lowell McAdam, president and chief operating officer of Verizon. “This is an important step for the industry as two great companies join forces to give wireless customers one of the most important technological additions to the mobile landscape this century.”

Verizon will offer two versions of the device: a 16-GB model for $200 and a 32-GB model for $300, both with a two-year contract. iPhone 4 will be available at more than 2,000 Verizon Wireless Communications Stores nationwide, online at  www.verizonwireless.com/iphone, at Apple Retail Stores, at the Apple Store (www.apple.com), at Apple Authorized Resellers, and by calling 1-800-2 JOIN IN.

Verizon has not mentioned what the company would charge for its iPhone data and service plans when the phone goes on sale. However there have been several rumors speculating that the company may offer customers an unlimited data service plan.

Verizon First To Offer The Samsung Galaxy Tab At $600

Samsung has officially announced the price of the companies iPad rival, the new 7-inch Android-based Galaxy Tab. It will cost $600 and will eventually be available on all four major U.S. carriers, but Verizon is the first to come up with a concrete release date and price.

“This is an incredible time in mobile technology, and as a company we’re excited to add the Samsung Galaxy Tab to our portfolio,” said Marni Walden, vice president and chief marketing officer for Verizon Wireless. “The Samsung Galaxy Tab brings together the reliability of Verizon Wireless’ 3G network and the power of Android 2. .2 to deliver on our promise of providing consumers and business customers with a host of options to help manage their lives.”

Starting November 11th Verizon will be offering the Samsung Galaxy Tab for the contract-free price of $599. A data plan is optional and will cost $20 per month for 1GB, $35 per month 3GB plan, and a $50 per month 5GB plan.

For those of you that are looking for a better deal or offers from different carriers rumor has it that the Sprint version of the tablet would launch around Nov. 14 for $400 with a contract, with a non-contract version going for $600. It was also speculated that T-Mobile would offer the tablet for $650 without a contract or $400 with a two-year contract after a $50 mail-in rebate.

Running on Android 2.2, the Samsung Galaxy Tab features a 7-inch touch screen; a full Web browsing experience with support for Adobe Flash 10.1 for video and mobile gaming; and a 1GHz Cortex A8 Hummingbird Application processor. Thee are two cameras a 3MP back and 1.3MP front, bluetooth 3.0 support and wireless N adapters.

For additional features and specifications on the Samsung Galaxy Tab, visit www.verizonwireless.com/galaxytab

Source: Samsung/Verizon press release

Verizon Launches Trade-In Program For Old Phones

Verizon has introduced a new program that might be interesting for those of you out there that are wanting to get a little cash back from your old cellphones and don't want to be bothered with the eBay or Craigslist route. The program is called the Verizon Wireless Trade-in Program.

Under the new program you can trade in any wireless device, working or not, for credit towards a Verizon wireless purchase in the form of a gift card. The one downside however is as with many of these trade-in programs Verizon doesn't offer much money for your device. For instance, a working iPhone 3GS with a cracked screen will get you a messily $12.60 while the same device with a screen that is undamaged will get the user $36. On the upside however the service might be a safer alternative than going through the standard reselling procedures as I'm sure Verizon will be extra careful to remove any and all user data before doing anything else with the phones.

The service is fairly straight forward and easy to use. Select your phones manufacture, select the model and then check off a few questions such as: Does the display work? Once the device is appraised you then have the option to agree to the appraisal. Once this is complete Verizon will send you a prepaid envelope to ship them you phone. Your Verizon Wireless gift card will arrive within 2 weeks of receipt of your device and can then be used as cash at Verizon stores.

Droid X Screen Problems? Get A Replacement From Verizon!

It has been confirmed that Motorola's hot new Droid X has a few screen issues, and unlike some competitors (cough Apple, cough cough) the company has quickly confirmed the issue and will be offering a quick concise fix.

The statement below was released via Engadget who confirmed reports that a small number of Droid X displays, approximately one-tenth of one percent have been experiencing issues.

Verizon's statement:

"Verizon Wireless and Motorola are aware of a very small number of DROID X units that have experienced a flickering or banding display. Motorola has resolved the issue and is continuing to ship the phones. Any consumer who experiences a flickering or banding display should contact a Motorola customer support center or Verizon Wireless."

According to Verizon Wireless representatives any Droid X owner with the display problem will receive a replacement phone. Good to see at least one company is willing to own up to their mistakes!